When I was in the UK I detested my wife, or me being referred to as the PC police want it "partner".
I'd remind them we're husband and wife, please refer to us as that.
I personally find the term degrading, as it means to me a business arrangement not a lovingly one.
I referred to one woman's BF as boyfriend and she corrected me with, "He's my partner. I'm too old to have a boyfriend." She was 28.
How do you feel about using the term PARTNER as opposed to WIFE, HUSBAND, BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND?
I've never used it. My experience is that when it's used, especially when said "partner" is not around, it's a subtle way to indicate that it's a same-sex relationship. Not every time, but that's common, at least here in the US. But now that I think about it, I will occasionally refer to him as my partner when it's just he and I, as in "you're my partner in life", and everywhere we go in life, we'll go together. But I've never said "please meet my partner" when introducing him.
I suppose it comes down to ones' preference.
I normally hear the term "partner" when used for same-sex relationships. When same sex couples say it, it has a loving quality to it.
But, I have heard it for man/woman relationships too and it always sounded strange. Whenever I've heard a man or woman introduce his/her opposite sex "partner" is seems so clinical. Almost like some sort of arrangement. Like, "we're together because no one else will have us, we really don't want to term it as boyfriend/girlfriend and either of us can bolt if a better offer comes along". Especially if they're living together, partner sounds like one notch above roommates.
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser. Socrates For married couples (like me), I prefer husband/wife or spouse if it needs to be gender-nonspecific. "Partner" has, IME, always meant unmarried (though not necessarily same sex) longterm relationship.
Mendalla
